Raising nutritious chickens starts off with appropriate diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate food plan at Every stage of lifetime is essential for development, egg output, and Total properly-getting. Irrespective of whether you are raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, comprehending their changing nutritional desires aids ensure a cheerful and effective flock. This hen feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The main number of months of the chick’s everyday living are critical. For the duration of this period, chicks call for high-protein starter feed to help quick expansion and enhancement. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the ideal harmony of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for small beaks to eat)
Supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only business starter feed.
Tip: Avoid providing treats much too early—starter feed need to be their sole diet regime to make certain well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Outdated)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit reduce protein written content, normally 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney challenges in youthful birds.
Objective: Supports constant expansion without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Steer clear of layer feed until finally they begin laying, as high calcium levels can hurt acquiring organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Initially Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a greater level of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for more calcium.
Idea: Some hens choose crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system differs. Broilers have to have a large-protein, Electrical power-dense feed to assistance swift weight obtain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats QH88 and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats might be a great supplement in your chickens’ food plan, but they must make up no more than 10% of daily consumption. Supply healthful solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats full grains or roughage, present grit to aid digestion.
Closing Guidelines
Often provide cleanse, new drinking water—it’s more significant than feed.
Shop feed appropriately to stay away from mould and pests.
Regulate feed parts based on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at each existence stage assures a thriving flock, far better egg creation, and fewer health problems. With the best diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!